Egypt Is Warned of 'Collapse'

Military Chief Signals That Army Could Act to End Unrest Sweeping Country

By

Matt Bradley and

Bill Spindle in Cairo and

Jay Solomon in Washington

Updated Jan. 29, 2013 7:33 p.m. ET

After five days of street violence and months of political paralysis, Egypt's defense minister fired off what was widely seen as a warning to sparring political factions and street rioters that the country's military might intervene to restore order.

While few observers believe the military is eager to return to the political spotlight, the burst of unrest since last week has dealt a blow to the flagging economy and led President...